S2362-Dry Rot Datasheet:Layout 1 13/01/2014 09:48 Page 1

Dry & Wet Rot Control

Problem
The most frequent, and the most serious, cause of
damage to building timber is fungal decay,
commonly known as Dry Rot or Wet Rot, and this
can affect all timber, historic or modern. Dampness
combined with lack of ventilation provides the ideal
conditions for fungal attack on timber.

Solution
The nature and biology of fungal decay makes it
vital to locate and eliminate the underlying source
of moisture behind the outbreak. Roofing failures
and leaking gutters are particularly damaging,
allowing water to spread over large areas before
being discovered.

Dry rot surveying may require exposure work

before the complete extent of the outbreak can be
determined.

Repairs and Fungicidal Treatments

Peter Cox technicians will replace defective
timbers and undertake repairs where necessary to
retained sections, including structural and
decorative timber. All retained timber is treated
using the latest fungicidal formulations to prevent
further infection. Where necessary adjacent
masonry is irrigated and surface sprayed with a
biocide.

Features & Benefits

Modern, water based micro emulsion
fungicides and biocides
Low odour, low hazard and HSE approved -
Treated rooms can be re-occupied after just
one hour
Generally surface sprayed but also applied by
brush, injection and in gel or paste
formulations
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Fungal Decay in
Building Timber
Dry Rot - (Serpula lacrymans) Overview

The true Dry Rot fungus is the more serious Dry Rot and Wet Rot are
requiring fast specialist action to avoid extensive
damage. It is malignant and will spread even
wood destroying fungi
through thick walls in search of timber to attack. (Basidiomycetes) which
Affected timber is brown, dry and brittle with attack timber in order to
cuboidal fractures and can be crumbled by hand.
extract food (cellulose or
It requires over 20% moisture level for spore
germination. Fine greyish hyphae strands lignin) to maintain growth
develop from the spore spreading to form and the generation of
mycelial growth which varies from grey to pure
white in wet conditions. Sporophores or fruiting spores.
bodies give off millions of spores in the form of
red dust.
Epoxy resin techniques
may be used for the repair
Wet Rot of decayed beam ends,
joint stabilisation and
Wet rots are a common cause of structural defects
and there are number of species which attack crack repairs.
timbers in buildings. They generally thrive on a
(see separate information sheet)
higher timber moisture content than dry rot but do
not spread through masonry and growth ceases
when the moisture is removed. Attacked timber is
either darkened or bleached depending on species
and is left in cuboidal or longitudinal cracks.
The species most commonly found is Coniophora
puteana (cellar fungus). Other species include
Fibroporia vaillantii (mine fungus) and Phellinus spp.

Lifecycle of Rotting Fungi

Fruit body
(sporophore)
shedding spores

Spore
germinating
Fungus spreads
into wood and
decays it Hypha
penetrating
wood
Spores settle on
damp wood and
germinate

Peter Cox Ltd

Freephone 0800 789 500 Aniseed Park, Broadway Business Park
Chadderton, Manchester, OL9 9XA
www.petercox.com Email: enquiries@petercox.com